Stapler

ABSTRACT

There is provided a stapler in which a cartridge can be mounted on a stapler body in a stable manner without wobbling, and fixing of the cartridge can be released in synchronization with opening operation of a door member. A stapler has a cartridge which is provided in a cartridge holding chamber of the stapler body in such a way that the cartridge can be pulled out from the cartridge holding chamber, and a locking shaft biased upward by an elastic member is provided in the lower portion of an opening in the cartridge holding chamber. The cartridge has a locking projection and a door member. When the cartridge is pushed into the cartridge holding chamber and held therein, the locking projection is locked with the above-described locking shaft, and, furthermore, the door member is biased in such a way that the opening of the cartridge holding chamber is closed by the above-described locking shaft. When the door member is opened, the locking shaft can be detached from the locking projection by the door member.

This disclosure is based upon Japanese Application No. 2003-037516,filed Feb. 14, 2003, and International Application No.PCT/JP2004/001654, filed Feb. 16, 2004, the contents of which areincorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a stapler comprising a stapler body anda cartridge which accommodates a refill for staples, and is mounted on acartridge holding chamber of the stapler body in such a way that thecartridge can be pulled out of the cartridge holding chamber.

BACKGROUND ART

A conventional staple has been used in a state in which a cartridge ismounted on a stapler body in a detachable manner, the cartridge isremoved from the stapler body, the cartridge accommodates a refill forstaples, and the cartridge accommodating the refill for staples ismounted on the stapler body.

In the conventional stapler, the cartridge has been required to beinstalled in the stapler body without wobbling in a stable manner byfixing the cartridge in the stapler body through press fitting, usingthe elasticity of a plastic material in the stapler body, the elasticityof a spring, or the like. However, there has been a problem that thecartridge is unstably mounted on the staple body in some cases becausepoor setting of the cartridge caused by components with an accuracy ofnear a tolerance limit for press fitting, poor holding of the cartridgecaused by a shortage of the spring elasticity, and the like aregenerated. Though it is considered as a method for solving the aboveproblem that the cartridge is fixed by a wedged, a complex configurationsuch as a link is required in a process for pulling out the wedge tomake the manufacturing cost higher, and to cause worsened manufacturingefficiency by an added process for drawing the wedge.

A traditional stapler has been used in a state in which a cartridge isremoved from a stapler body in order to exchange a refill for staples,and the cartridge accommodates a new refill for staples and is mountedon the stapler body. However, it is considered that the cartridge isdropped by mistake and is broken when the refill for staples isexchanged. Moreover, there has been an inconvenience that the aboveexchanging is required to be performed with both hands, that is, can notbe realized with a single hand. Furthermore, there has been a problemthat confusion is created for the jam processing section because thecartridge is provided with a face plate for jam processing at hand, and,when a refill for staple is exchanged, a jam processing section isremoved for the exchanging.

Moreover, a conventional stapler has a configuration in which, when therefill for staples is imperfectly accommodated in the cartridge, aneedle-less sensor works to warn setting failure. However, there hasbeen a problem that the above configuration gives only theabove-described warning, and can not prevent the setting failurebeforehand.

The present invention has been made, considering the above problems, andits first object is to provide a stapler in which a cartridge is mountedon a stapler body in a stable manner without wobbling, fixing of thecartridge can be released in synchronization with opening operation of adoor member, a complex configuration is not required, cheapmanufacturing is realized, a refill for staples can be exchanged bypulling out the cartridge from the stapler body, dropping of thecartridge is prevented, and the exchanging operation can be performedwith a single hand. Moreover, its second object is to provide a staplerin which a cartridge which is mounted on a stapler body in such a waythat the cartridge can be pulled out from the staple body can be removedfrom the stapler body, and the cartridge itself can be exchanged.Furthermore, its third object is to provide a stapler in which are fillfor staples is automatically accommodated in the cartridge when acartridge is pushed into and mounted on a stapler body, and the refillfor staples can be prevented from poor setting.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

In order to achieve the above-described first object, a stapleraccording to a first aspect of the present invention comprises: astapler body; and a cartridge which is mounted on a cartridge holdingchamber of a stapler body in such a way that the cartridge can be pulledbut from the cartridge holding chamber, wherein a locking shaft biasedupward by an elastic member is provided in the lower portion of anopening of the cartridge holding chamber, the cartridge has a lockingprojection and a door member, when the cartridge is mounted on thecartridge holding chamber, the locking projection is locked with thelocking shaft and the door member is biased in such a way that theopening of the cartridge holding chamber is closed by the locking shaft,and, when the door member closing the opening of the cartridge holdingchamber is opened, the locking shaft is gotten out of the lockingprojection by the door member.

In order to achieve the above-described first object, the stapleraccording to a second aspect of the present invention has aconfiguration in which a locking section, which is locked with thelocking shaft when the cartridge is pulled out from the cartridgeholding chamber of the stapler body, is formed in the cartridge.

In order to achieve the above-described second object, the stapleraccording to a third aspect of the present invention has a configurationin which the guide slots are formed at both sides of the cartridgeholding chamber, the guide pawls guided in the guide slots are providedat both sides of the cartridge, and the cartridge can be detached fromthe stapler body by getting the guide pawls out of the guide slots.

In order to achieve the above-described third object, the stapleraccording to a fourth aspect of the present invention has aconfiguration in which the stapler comprises: a stapler body; and acartridge which is mounted on a cartridge holding chamber of a staplerbody in such a way that the cartridge can be pulled out from thecartridge holding chamber, wherein guide members, by which a refill forstaples accommodated in the cartridge is guided in the direction inwhich the cartridge is mounted, are formed in the upper portion of thecartridge holding chamber.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1(A) is a general perspective view showing a stapler according toone embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1(B) is a general perspective view showing a stapler according toone embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which a refill forstaples is removed from a cartridge mounted on a stapler body;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which the cartridge isremoved from the stapler body;

FIG. 4(A) is an explanatory view of a state in which the cartridge ismounted on the stapler body;

FIG. 4(B) is an explanatory view of a state in which the cartridge ismounted on the stapler body;

FIG. 4(C) is an explanatory view of a state in which the cartridge ismounted on the stapler body;

FIG. 5(A) is an explanatory view of a state in which the cartridge ispulled out from the stapler body;

FIG. 5(B) is an explanatory view of a state in which the cartridge ispulled out from the stapler body;

FIG. 6 is a side view of a state in which the cartridge is detached fromthe stapler body;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view for the state shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8(A) is an explanatory view explaining an operation for pulling outthe cartridge from the stapler body;

FIG. 8(B) is an explanatory view explaining an operation for pulling outthe cartridge from the stapler body;

FIG. 8(C) is an explanatory view explaining an operation for pulling outthe cartridge from the stapler body;

FIG. 8(D) is an explanatory view explaining an operation for pulling outthe cartridge from the stapler body;

FIG. 9(A) is a perspective view showing a state before the refill forstaples is accommodated in the cartridge of the stapler body;

FIG. 9(B) is a perspective view showing a state before the refill forstaples is accommodated in the cartridge of the stapler body;

FIG. 10(A) is an explanatory view explaining an operation foraccommodating the refill for staples in the cartridge of the staplerbody;

FIG. 10(B) is an explanatory view explaining an operation foraccommodating the refill for staples in the cartridge of the staplerbody;

FIG. 10(C) is an explanatory view explaining an operation foraccommodating the refill for staples in the cartridge of the staplerbody;

FIG. 11(A) is an explanatory view explaining an operation foraccommodating the refill for staples in the cartridge of the staplerbody;

FIG. 11(B) is an explanatory view explaining an operation foraccommodating the refill for staples in the cartridge of the staplerbody;

FIG. 11(C) is an explanatory view explaining an operation foraccommodating the refill for staples in the cartridge of the staplerbody;

FIG. 12(A) is a side view explaining an operation for the cartridge;

FIG. 12(B) is a side view explaining an operation for the cartridge;

FIG. 12(C) is a side view explaining an operation for the cartridge;

FIG. 13(A) is an explanatory view of the cartridge;

FIG. 13(B) is an explanatory view of the cartridge;

FIG. 13(C) is an explanatory view of the cartridge;

FIG. 14(A) is an explanatory view of a door member installed in thecartridge;

FIG. 14(B) is an explanatory view of a door member installed in thecartridge;

FIG. 14(C) is an explanatory view of a door member installed in thecartridge;

FIG. 14(D) is an explanatory view of a door member installed in thecartridge;

FIG. 14(E) is an explanatory view of a door member installed in thecartridge;

FIG. 14(F) is an explanatory view of a door member installed in thecartridge;

FIG. 14(G) is an explanatory view of a door member installed in thecartridge;

FIG. 15(A) is a principal explanatory view of the cartridge;

FIG. 15(B) is a principal explanatory view of the cartridge;

FIG. 16(A) is a principal explanatory view of the cartridge;

FIG. 16(B) is a principal explanatory view of the cartridge;

FIG. 16(C) is a principal explanatory view of the cartridge;

FIG. 16(D) is a principal explanatory view of the cartridge;

FIG. 17(A) is an explanatory view of the refill for staples:

FIG. 17(B) is an explanatory view of the refill for staples:

FIG. 18(A) is a view of the refill for staples;

FIG. 18(B) is a view of the refill for staples;

FIG. 18(C) is a view of the refill for staples.

FIG. 18(D) is a view of the refill for staples;

FIG. 18(E) is a view of the refill for staples; and

FIG. 18(F) is a view of the refill for staples.

BEST MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

A stapler according to the present invention is built into a copyingmachine and an electric stapler of a desk-top type, and is driven by adriving mechanism and a control mechanism (not shown) provided in thecopying machine and the electric stapler of a desk-top type to performstapling operation by which a plurality of sheets of paper are filedinto one thing. Here, drawings and detailed explanation for the drivingmechanism and the control mechanism, which perform filing operation,will be eliminated in the present embodiment.

One embodiment of the stapler according to the present invention will beexplained, referring to FIG. 1(A) through FIG. 18(F). FIG. 1(A) and FIG.1(B) are a general perspective view showing the embodiment of thestapler according to the invention: FIG. 1(A) is a perspective view of astate in which a cartridge is pushed into and mounted on a stapler body;and FIG. 1(B) is a perspective view of a state in which the cartridge ispulled out from the stapler body. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of astate in which a refill for staples is detached from the cartridgemounted on the stapler body. FIG. 3 is a perspective view in which thecartridge is removed from the stapler body. FIG. 4(A) through FIG. 4(C)are an explanatory view of a state in which the cartridge is mounted onthe stapler body: FIG. 4(A) is a side view; and FIG. 4(B) and FIG. 4(C)are side sectional views.

FIG. 5(A) and FIG. 5(B) are an explanatory view of a state in which thecartridge is pulled out form the stapler body: FIG. 5(A) is a side view;and FIG. 5(B) is a side sectional view. FIG. 6 is a side view of a statein which the cartridge is removed from the stapler body. FIG. 7 is asectional view of a state corresponding to the state shown in FIG. 6.FIG. 8(A) through FIG. 8(D) are an explanatory view explainingoperations for pulling out the cartridge from the stapler body. FIG.9(A) through FIG. 9(B) are a perspective view showing a state before therefill for staples is accommodated in the cartridge of the stapler body.

FIG. 10(A) through FIG. 10(C), and FIG. 11(A) through FIG. 11(C) are anexplanatory view explaining operations for accommodating the refill forstaples in the cartridge of the stapler body. FIG. 12(A) through FIG.12(C) are a side view explaining operations of the cartridge. FIG. 13(A)through FIG. 13(C) are an explanatory view of the cartridge: FIG. 13(A)is a top view; FIG. 13(B) is a side view; and FIG. 13(C) is a bottomview. FIG. 14(A) through FIG. 14(G) are an explanatory view of a doormember installed in the cartridge. FIG. 15(A) and FIG. 15(B), and FIG.16(A) through FIG. 16(D) is a principal explanatory view of thecartridge. FIG. 17(A) and FIG. 17(B) are an explanatory view of therefill for staples: FIG. 17(A) is a perspective view from above; andFIG. 17(B) is a perspective view from below. FIG. 18(A) through FIG.18(F) are six views of the refill for staples.

A stapler 100 comprises: a stapler body 101; and a cartridge 140 whichis mounted on a cartridge holding chamber 102 of the stapler body 101 insuch a way that the cartridge 140 can be pulled out from the cartridgeholding chamber 102. A refill 1 for staples, by which a needle(staple)is supplied to a staple mechanism (not shown) for filing sheets ofpaper, can be mounted on the above stapler body 101. The refill forstaples accommodates a plurality of sheet-type connected stables S.

The stapler body 101 includes the cartridge holding chamber 102 whichholds the cartridge 140 installing the above-described refill 1 forstaples. Moreover, an opening 108 of the cartridge holding chamber 102is provided behind the stapler body 101.

A locking shaft 121 which is biased upward by an elastic member 126 isprovided under the opening 108 in the cartridge holding chamber 102. Thecartridge 140 has a locking projection 180 and a door member 185. Whenthe cartridge 140 is mounted on the cartridge holding chamber 102, theabove-described locking projection 180 is locked with theabove-described locking shaft 121, and the above-described door member185 is biased so that the opening 108 in the cartridge holding chamber102 is closed by the above-described locking shaft 121. When the doormember 185 closing the opening 108 of the cartridge holding chamber 102is opened, the door member 185 is configured to disengage theabove-described locking shaft 121 from the locking projection 180.

According to the above-described configuration, when the cartridge 140accommodating the refill 1 for staples is pushed into and mounted on thecartridge holding chamber 102, the locking projection 180 is engagedwith the above-described locking shaft 121 to fix the cartridge 140 inthe stapler body 101. Moreover, the door member 185 is pushed up withthe locking shaft 121 at the same time the above cartridge 140 is fixed,and a part of the opening 108 is covered. As the door member 185 pushesthe above-described locking shaft 121 down when the door member 185 ispulled in the above state so as to be opened, the locking projection 180is disengaged from the locking shaft 121 of the cartridge 140. When theabove door member 185 is operated, the mounted cartridge 140 can bepulled out from the stapler body 101.

A locking section 170, which is locked with the above-described lockingshaft 121 when the cartridge 140 is pulled out from the cartridgeholding chamber 102 of the stapler body 101, is formed in the cartridge140. The locking section 170 is formed as a concave portion at bottom ofthe cartridge 140 to fix the cartridge 140 by engaging the locking shaft121 with the above locking section (locking concave section) 170.

Guide slots 115 are formed at each side of the cartridge holding chamber102. Guide pawls 160 and 161 guided by the above-described guide slots115 are formed at both sides of the cartridge 140, respectively, and thecartridge 140 can be removed from the stapler body 101 by detaching theabove guide pawls 160 and 161 from the corresponding guide slots 115,respectively. The guide pawls 160 and 161 are of a flexible member, andhave portions protruding from both side surfaces of the cartridge 140 tothe outside, respectively. The protruded portions are guided in theabove-described guide slots 115. The guide pawls 160 and 161 are bent bypushing inward to disengage the above-described protruded portions fromthe guide slots 115.

The stapler 100 comprises: the stapler body 101; and the cartridge 140which is mounted on the cartridge holding chamber 102 of the staplerbody 101 in such a way that the cartridge 140 can be pulled out from thecartridge holding chamber 102. A guide member 138, by which the refill 1for staples accommodated in the cartridge 140 is guided in the directionin which the cartridge 140 is mounted, is formed in the upper portion ofthe cartridge holding chamber 102.

Hereinafter, the stapler will be explained in more detail. As shown inFIG. 17(A) and FIG. 17(B), and FIG. 18(A) through FIG. 18(F), the refill1 for staples comprises: a refill body 2; and a pressing member 70. Therefill body 2 comprises: a bottom wall 3; a front wall 5 provided atabout right angles to the front portion of the bottom wall 3, a rightwall 6 provided at about right angles to the right portion of the bottomwall 3, a left wall 7 provided at about right angles to the left portionof the bottom wall 3, and a locking plate 9 rotatably provided at therear portion of the bottom wall 3.

A look-through hole 11 with a rectangular shape is formed at about thecenter on the bottom wall 3, a notch 12 with a shape of substantially“U” is formed at the front end of the bottom wall 3, and projections forbackward-motion prevention 18 and 19, which prevent the backward motionof the sheet-type connected staples S, are continuously formed on theleft and right sides of the upper surface (the side of the inner surfaceof the body 2) of the bottom wall 3, respectively. A guide slot 20extending in the vertical direction is formed in the front portion ofthe left wall 7, and a guide slot 21 extending in the vertical directionis formed in the front portion of the right wall 6. A concave portion 22is formed to the front at the lower end of the guide slot 20, and aconcave portion 23 is formed to the front at the lower end of the guideslot 21. A concave portion 24 is formed to the rear at the upper end ofthe guide slot 20, and a concave portion 25 is formed to the rear at theupper end of the guide slot 21. Small projection 26 with a substantiallytriangle shape is continuously formed in the vicinity of the guide slot20, and small projection 27 with a substantially triangle shape iscontinuously formed in the vicinity of the guide slot 21.

A right inclined edge 33 extending from a front end edge 31, which isabout vertical, to an upper end edge 32, which is about horizontal, isformed in the front portion of the right wall 6. Similarly, a leftinclined edge 37 extending from a front end edge 35, which is aboutvertical, to an upper end edge 36, which is about horizontal, is formedin the front portion of the right wall 7.

A delivery port 41 delivering sheet-type connected staples S is formedin the lower portion of the front wall 5. This delivery port 41 is incommunication with the notch 12 of the bottom wall 3. A covering member45 closing the delivery port 41 is provided in the upper portion of thedelivery port 41. Moreover, a pair of projection-like locking sections48 and 49 are formed at both ends of the front wall 5 in the lowerportion, respectively.

Bearing plates 52 and 53 are formed as one body: the bearing plate 52 isformed in the upper left end of the locking plate 9; and the bearingplate 53 is formed in the upper right end of the locking plate 9. Thebearing plate 52 is rotatably pivoted in the upper portion of the leftwall 7, and the bearing plate 53 is rotatably pivoted in the upperportion of the right wall 6. A flexible piece 65, both sides of whichare inserted between slots 62 and 63, respectively, is provided on thelocking plate 9. A locking hole 66 is formed on this flexible piece 65.Resting projections 64 and 69 extending from the upper end to the lowerend of the locking plate 9 are provided on the inner side surface of thelocking plate 9.

As shown in FIG. 2, the pressing member 70 comprises: a pressing plate71; a reinforcing wall 72 provided on the left side of the pressingplate 71, a reinforcing wall 73 provided on the right side of thepressing plate 71; and a guide shaft 75 provided in such a way that oneend of the shaft 75 is protruding from the left reinforcing wall 72, andthe other end is protruding from the right reinforcing wall 73. Bothsides of the guide shaft 75 are configured to be guided in the guideslot 20 of the left wall 7 and the guide slot 21 of the right wall 6. Inthe vicinity of the guide shaft 75, there is provided a locking piece 76which prevents the pressing member 70 from moving upward and allows themember 70 to move downward as the pieces 76 are locked with the smallprojections 26 and 27.

Guide projections 80 and 80 are formed at both sides of locking shouldersections 86 and 86 on the pressing plate 71, respectively. Moreover, apair of pressing projections 82 pressing the sheet-type connected stapleS is provided at about the center of the lower surface of the pressingplate 71, and on the lower surface of the guide projections 80 and 81.

The sheet-type connected staples S are formed by bonding a plurality ofstaples with a thin rod-like shape to form sheet-type staples. Whenstaples are driven into a predetermined sheets of paper, only a stapleat the tip is driven.

The stapler body 101 of the stapler 100 is mounted on a copying machineor a printing machine, and the cartridge holding chamber 102 is formedas shown in FIG. 3. The cartridge 140 is mounted on this cartridgeholding chamber 102 in such a way that the cartridge 140 can be pulledout from the cartridge holding chamber 102. The cartridge holdingchamber 102 includes: a bottom wall 103; a right wall 105 formed at theright side of the bottom wall 103; a left wall 106 formed at the leftside of the bottom wall 103: and a top wall 107. And, the front portionand the back portion of the cartridge holding chamber 102 are open.

The rear edge of the right wall 105 has a shape provided with: aninclined edge 109 which is inclined downward and rearward (in thedirection in which the cartridge 140 is pulled out); and a vertical edge111 which is extending downward, and the rear edge of the left wall 106has a shape provided with: an inclined edge 110 which is inclineddownward and rearward (in the direction in which the cartridge 140 ispulled out); and a vertical edge 112 which is extending downward. Thefront portion of the right wall 105 is notched, and a driver of thestapler 100 (not shown) is located in the notched portion 174.Similarly, the front portion of the left wall 106 is notched, and adriver of the stapler 100 (not shown) is located in the notched portion175. The first guide slots 115 and 115 are formed rearward in the innerand lower portions of the right wall 105 and the left wall 106,respectively, and the second guide slots 116 and 116 are formed forwardtherein. The first guide slot 115 is formed higher than the second guideslot 116. A stopper piece 118 is formed in the front of the first guideslot 115 by providing a notch 117 with a shape of substantially “L”.

The rear portion 120 of the bottom wall 103 is inclined, and a lockingshaft 121 slightly protruding from the bottom wall 103 is provided onthe upper portion of the above-described rear portion 120 in a nearlyhorizontal manner. As shown in FIG. 4(A) through FIG. 4(C), one end ofthe locking shaft 121 is slidably guided in a long hole 122 which isvertically extending, and which is formed on the left wall 106, and theother end is slidably guided in a long hole 123, which is verticallyextending, and which is formed on the right wall 105.

Moreover, one end of the spring-like elastic member 126, the other endof which is fixed at a rod 125 provided at the outer side of the rightwall 105, is fixed at one end of the locking shaft 121, and one end ofanother spring-like elastic member 126, the other end of which is fixedat another rod 125 provided at the outer side of the left wall 106, isfixed at the other end of the locking shaft 121. The locking shaft 121is biased upward with the above elastic members 126 and 126, and bothends of the above locking shaft 121 are resting on the upper ends of thelong holes 122 and 123, respectively.

Arm members 130 and 130 are rotatably provided in the inner and upperportions of the right wall 105 and the left wall 106, respectively.Rotating shafts 131 and 131 are provided above the arm members 130 and130, respectively, and spring bearing members 132 and 132 are providedabove about the intermediate portion, respectively. The arm members 130and 130 can be rotated around the rotating shafts 131 and 131 pivoted atbearing holes 133 and 133 formed in the upper portion of the right wall105 and the left wall 106, respectively. Moreover, one of the springbearing members 132 and 132, which is protruded through a look-throughhole 113 formed in the left wall 106, is provided on one of the armmembers 130 and 130, and, similarly, the other spring bearing member 132protruded through a look-through hole 114 formed in the right wall 105is provided on the other arm member 130. One end of a spring-likeelastic member 134 is fixed at a rod 135 provided outside the right wall105, and the other end of the spring-like elastic member 134 is fixed atone of the above spring bearing members 132 and 132. Similarly, one endof another spring-like elastic member 134 is fixed at another rod 135provided outside the left wall 106, and the other end of anotherspring-like elastic member 134 is fixed at the other spring bearingmember 132. Thereby, the arm members 130 and 130 are biased downward.

A front wall 136 is formed at the front end of the bottom wall 103. Alocking hole 137 is formed at about the center of the front wall 136.The guide members 138 are formed in about a horizontal manner at bothsides of the rear end of the top wall 107, respectively.

The cartridge 140 comprises: a bottom plate 141; a right guide plate 142provided at the front portion of the right end of the bottom plate 141;a right side plate 143 provided in the rear portion of the right end ofthe bottom plate 141; a left guide plate 145 provided at the frontportion of the left end of bottom plate 141; a left side plate 146provided in the rear portion of the left end of the bottom plate 141; aback plate 147 provided at the rear end of the bottom plate 141; and afront plate 149 provided at the front end of the bottom plate 141.

A rectangular opening 148 is formed in the front portion of the bottomplate 141. A staple driving guide 150 is provided in the front portionof the cartridge 140. The staple driving guide 150 has a pair of lockingconcave sections 151 and 151 which respectively lock the lockingsections 48 and 49 provided in the front wall 5 of the refill 1 forstaples, and a resting section 152 on which the covering member 45provided on the front wall 5 rests.

In the cartridge 140, a locking pawl 153 is formed at about the centerof the back plate 147, and a locking projection 155 is provided at thefront plate 149. A guide pawl 160 is formed by a slot 156 with a shapeof substantially “U” on the right side plate 143, and a guide pawl 161is formed by a slot 157 with a shape of substantially “U” on the leftside plate 146. The guide pawls 160 and 161 have horizontal walls 163and 163 formed in the upper portion, tapered guide surfaces 166 and 166formed in the tip portions of the above horizontal walls 163 and 163,and inclined walls 165 and 165 in the lower portion, respectively. Here,operating sections 167 and 167 are formed in the rear portions of theguide pawls 160 and 161, respectively.

The locking concave sections 170 and 170 are formed in the frontportions of the lower end edge of the right side plate 143 and the leftside plate 146, respectively. The locking concave section 170 comprises:a rearward inclined edge 171; and a forward inclined edge 172 which ismore steeply inclined than the rearward inclined edge 171. The tip 173of the forward inclined edge 172 is somewhat protruding from the lowerend edges of the right side plate 143 and the left side plate 146.

The locking projections 180 and 180 are formed in the rear portion ofthe lower end edge of the right side plate 143, and in the rear portionof the lower end edge of the left side plate 146, respectively. Thelocking projection 180 comprises; an inclined edge 181 formed in thefront portion; and a vertical edge 182 formed on the rear portion.

The cartridge 140 is provided with a door member 185 in the rearportion. The door member 185 comprises: a cover section 186; and armsections 187 and 187 provided at each side of the cover section 186.Rotation holes 189 and 189 are formed in the tip portions of the armportions 187 and 187, respectively. The above rotation holes 189 and 189are rotatably installed at rods 190 and 190 formed in about the centerof the right side plate 143 and the left side plate 146, respectively.

Accordingly the door member 185 can be rotated around the rods 190 and190. The door member 185 can be rotated from a position at which the armsection 187 and 187 are engaged with engaging projections 191 and 191formed on the right side plate 143 and the left side plate 146,respectively, to a position at which an engaging concave section 193 inthe cover section 186 is engaged with an engaging piece 192 formed inthe rear plate 147.

Subsequently, the use of the stapler 100 will be explained. As shown inFIG. 10(A) through FIG. 10(C), sheet-type connected staples S arelaminated and held in the refill body 2 of the refill 1 for staples. Thelaminated sheet-type connected staples S are put on the bottom wall 3,the fore-and-aft movement of the staples is controlled by the front wall5 and the resting projections 64 and 69 of the locking plate 9, and thetransverse movement of the staples is controlled by the right 6 and theleft wall 7. With regard to the pressing member 70, the tip of the guideprojection 80 rests on the front wall 5, and the rear portion 74 restson the resting projection 69 of the locking plate 9, and, similarly, thetip of the guide projection 81 rests on the front wall 5, and the rearportion 74 rests on the resting projection 64 of the locking plate 9.

A method by which the above-described refill 1 for staples is mounted onthe cartridge 140 will be explained. The locking sections 48 and 49 inthe refill body 2 is locked with the locking concave sections 151 and151, respectively. In this case, the covering member 45 rests on theresting section 152, and the delivery port 41 is opened. Then, when therefill body 2 is pressed to the side of the cartridge 140, the flexiblepiece 65 rests on the locking pawl 153, the piece 65 is bent inward, andthe flexible piece 65 recovers the original state after the locking hole66 formed on the flexible piece 65 is engaged with the locking pawl 153.Thereby, the refill 1 for staples is fixed in the cartridge 140.

Then, a method by which the cartridge 140 mounting the above-describedrefill 1 for staples is mounted on the stapler body 101 will beexplained.

When the cartridge 140 is pushed into the stapler body 101, the armmembers 130 and 130 provided on both sides of the cartridge holdingchamber 102 are engaged with each end of the guide shaft 75 in thepressing member 70, and the arm members 130 and 130 are pushed upwardagainst the elasticity of the elastic members 134 and 134, respectively.Accordingly, the pressing member 70 is pushed downward by the armmembers 130 and 130 which are biased downward by the elastic members 134and 134, respectively, and the pressing projections 82 press thelaminated sheet-type connected staples S.

Here, when the refill body 2 is not completely set in the cartridge 140,that is, even in a state in which the locking hole 66 is not locked withthe locking pawl 153, the refill body 2 is pressed with the guidemembers 138 and 138 and goes down so as to engage the locking hole 66with the locking pawl 153, because the right inclined edge 33 and theleft inclined edge 37 of the refill body 2, the upper end edge 32 of theright wall 6, and the upper end edge 36 of the left wall 7 are guided bythe guide members 138 and 138 when the cartridge 140 is pushed into thestapler body 101 as show in FIG. 10(A) through FIG. 10(C) and FIG. 11(A)through FIG. 11(C).

When the cartridge 140 is completely mounted on the cartridge holdingchamber 102 of the stapler body 101, the above-described locking shaft121 is moved downward along the inclined edges 181 and 181 of thelocking projections 180 and 180. The locking shaft 121 is biased upwardby the elastic members 126 and 126, and rests on the lower end edge ofthe cartridge 140 at any time. When the locking shaft 121 climbs overthe locking projections 180 and 180, the locking shaft 121 rests on thevertical edges 182 and 182. As the direction in which the locking shaft121 can be moved is only a vertical direction, the locking shaft 121 isnot moved downward not to climb over the locking projections 180 and 180even when the locking shaft 121 is pressed by the above-describedvertical edge 182 in the direction in which the cartridge 140 is pulledout. That is, backward movement of the cartridge 140 is prevented byresting of the locking shaft 121 on the above-described vertical edge182.

Moreover, when the cartridge 140 is pushed into the stapler body 101 asdescribed above, the locking shaft 121 is engaged with the arm members187 and 187 of the door member 185 to push up the arm members 187 and187. Thereby, the door member 185 is closed, and the opening 108 of thecartridge holding chamber 102 is closed.

When the stapler 100 is driven, sheet-type connected staples S are sentout from the delivery port 41, using a sending pawl (not shown), and atop staple is driven to file sheets of paper by a driver. A forwardsending pawl is engaged with the bottom of sheet-type connected staplesS through the opening 148 of the bottom portion in the cartridge 140,and the look-through hole 11 of the bottom portion of the refill body,and sends out the sheet-type connected staples S.

When all sheet-type connected staples S are delivered from the inside ofthe refill body 2, the pressing plate 71 rests on the bottom wall 3, theguide projections 80 and 81 get out of the front wall 5, the pressingplate 71 can move forward, and rotation of the locking plate 9 becomespossible to unlock the locking pawl 153 from the locking hole 66.

As shown in FIG. 8(A) through FIG. 8(D), the arm members 187 and 187,respectively, push the locking shaft 121 downward against the elasticityof the elastic members 126 and 126, the locking shaft 121 gets out ofthe vertical edges 182 and 182 of the locking projections 180 and 180,and, at the same time, the cartridge 140 can be pulled out, pivotingabout the locking shaft 121 (refer to FIG. 8(C)) when the door member185 is pushed downward for opening. When the cartridge 140 is furtherpulled out, the locking shaft 121 is locked with the locking concavesections 170 and 170 to prevent the cartridge 140 from being pulled out.

Here, each of the locking concave sections 170 and 170 includes: arearward inclined edge 171; and a forward inclined edge 172, and, whenforcibly pulled, the locking shaft 121 climbs over the forward inclinededge 172 to pull out the cartridge 140. Thereby, the cartridge 140 neverbreaks even when the cartridge 140 is forcibly pulled.

The cartridge 140 can be detached from the stapler body 101 because theguide pawls 160 and 161 respectively get out of the first guide slots115 and 115 by pushing the operating sections 167 and 167 of the guidepawls 160 and 161 to the inside in a state shown in FIG. 5(A) and FIG.5(B), and FIG. 8(D).

The guide pawls 160 and 161 are members provided on the side surfaces ofthe cartridge 140, as described above. The horizontal walls 163 and 163,respectively, are provided on the upper ends of the guide pawls 160 and161, a part of the above horizontal wall 163 is formed, protrudingoutward from one side surface of the cartridge 140, and a part ofanother horizontal wall 163 is formed, protruding outward from the otherside surface of the cartridge 140. Moreover, the tapered guide surfaces166 and 166 are formed in the tip portions of the horizontal walls 163and 163, respectively. Upward movement of the cartridge 140 is limitedby engaging the above horizontal wall 163 with the upper end edge of theguide slots 115 and 115 of the stapler body 101.

Inclined surfaces (inclined walls 165 and 165) which are inclined at anangle from the projected portions are provided in the lower portion ofthe above-described horizontal walls 163 and 163, respectively. Theabove-described guide surface 166 and the above-described inclinedsurface 165 have a function by which the guide pawl 160 is bent inwardby resting on the right wall 105 of the stapler body 101, and the guidepawl 161 is bent inward by resting on the left wall 106 of the staplerbody 101 when the cartridge 140 is mounted on the stapler body 101.

The cartridge 140 is mounted on the stapler body 101 by sliding andpushing the lower end of the front plate 149 onto the bottom wall 103 inthe cartridge holding chamber 102. In this case, the guide pawls 160 and161 are bent inward by sliding the inclined walls 165 and 165, and theguide surfaces 166 and 166 of the guide pawls 160 and 161 on the inneredge of the right wall 105 and the left walls 106, respectively.Subsequently, the protruding portions of the horizontal walls 163 and163, respectively, are engaged with the slot portions of the guide walls115 and 115 after the guide pawl 160 and 161 are bent inward. Thus, oncethe guide pawls 160 and 161 have been bent, the cartridge 140 can beslid into the stapler body 101 in engagement with the guide slots 115.Moreover, at about the same time the cartridge 140 is mounted on thestapler body 101, the locking concave sections 170 and 170 are engagedwith the locking shaft 121 (refer to FIG. 5(A) and FIG. 5(B), and FIG.8(D)).

When the cartridge 140 is pushed forward, the guide pawls 160 and 161are guided in the first guide slots 115 and 115, respectively, and,furthermore, the right guide plate 142 and the left guide plate 145 ofthe tip portion of the cartridge 140 are slidably guided in the secondguide slots 116 and 116 of the stapler body 101, respectively. Moreover,the locking projection 155 of the cartridge 140 is locked with thelocking hole 137 of the front wall 136 in the stapler body 101 to fixthe front portion. At about the same time, the locking shaft 121 isengaged with the vertical edges 182 and 182 of the locking projections180 and 180, and contacts with the cartridge 140 so that the lower endof the cartridge 140 is pushed upward. Thereby, the rear portion of thecartridge 140 is fixed, and, as shown in FIG. 4(A) through FIG. 4(C),the cartridge 140 is installed in the stapler body 101 in a stablemanner without wobbling.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

As explained above, the stapler according to the present inventioncomprises: the stapler body; and the cartridge which is mounted on thecartridge holding chamber of the stapler body in such a way that thecartridge can be pulled out from the chamber, and the locking shaftbiased upward by the elastic member is provided in the lower portion ofthe opening in the cartridge holding chamber. Moreover, the cartridgehas the locking projection and the door member, and, when the cartridgeis mounted on the cartridge holding chamber, the above-described lockingprojection is locked with the above-described locking shaft, and theabove-described door member is biased in such a way that the opening ofthe cartridge holding chamber is closed by the above-described lockingshaft. When the door member closing the opening of the cartridge holdingchamber is opened, the above-described locking shaft is gotten out ofthe locking projection by the door member. Thereby, the cartridge ismounted on the stapler body in a stable manner without wobbling, andfixing of the cartridge can be released in synchronization with openingoperation of the door member. Furthermore, a complex configuration isnot required, and cheap manufacturing can be realized. Moreover, as therefill for staples can be exchanged by pulling out the cartridge fromthe stapler body, dropping of the cartridge is prevented, and theexchanging operation can be performed with a single hand.

The stapler according to the present invention has an advantage that thecartridge can not be easily removed from the stapler body because thelocking section, which is locked with the above-described locking shaftwhen the cartridge is pulled out from the cartridge holding chamber ofthe stapler body, is formed in the cartridge.

The stapler according to the present invention has another advantagethat the cartridge provided in such a way that the cartridge can bepulled out from the cartridge holding chamber by getting the guide pawlsout of the above-described guide slots can be easily detached from thestapler body, and the cartridge itself can be exchanged because theguide slots are formed at both sides of the cartridge holding chamber,and the guide pawls guided in the above-described slots are provided atboth sides of the cartridge.

The stapler according to the present invention has further anotheradvantage that the refill for staples can be automatically accommodatedin the cartridge, using the guide members, when the cartridge is pushedinto the stapler body, and the refill for staples can be prevented frompoor setting because the stapler comprises: the stapler body; and thecartridge which is mounted on the cartridge holding chamber of thestapler body in such a way that the cartridge can be pulled out from thechamber, and the guide members, by which the refill for staples held inthe cartridge is guided in the direction in which the cartridge ismounted, are formed in the upper portion of the cartridge holdingchamber.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[Description of reference numerals] S sheet-type connected staples 1refill for staples 2 refill body 3 bottom wall 5 front wall 6 right wall7 left wall 9 locking plate 11 look-through hole 12 notch 18 projectionfor backward-motion prevention 19 projection for backward-motionprevention 20 guide slot 21 guide slot 22 concave portion 23 concaveportion 24 concave portion 25 concave portion 26 small projection 27small projection 31 front end edge 32 upper end edge 33 right inclinededge 35 front end edge 36 upper end edge 37 left inclined edge 41delivery port 45 covering member 48 locking section 49 locking section52 bearing plate 53 bearing plate 62 slot 63 slot 64 resting projection65 flexible piece 66 locking hole 69 resting projection 70 pressingmember 71 pressing plate 72 reinforcing wall 73 reinforcing wall 75guide shaft 76 locking piece 80 guide projection 81 guide projection 82pressing projection 86 locking shoulder section 100 stapler 101 staplerbody 102 cartridge holding chamber 103 bottom wall 105 right wall 106left wall 107 top wall 108 opening 109 inclined edge 110 inclined edge111 vertical edge 112 vertical edge 113 look-through hole 115 firstguide slot 116 second guide slot 117 notch 118 stopper piece 120 rearportion 121 locking shaft 122 long hole 123 long hole 125 rod 126elastic member 130 arm member 131 rotating shaft 132 spring bearingmember 133 bearing hole 134 elastic member 135 rod 136 front wall 137locking hole 138 guide member 140 cartridge 141 bottom plate 142 rightguide plate 143 right side plate 145 left guide plate 146 left sideplate 147 back plate 148 opening 149 front plate 150 staple drivingguide 151 locking concave section 152 resting section 153 locking pawl155 locking projection 156 slot 157 slot 160 guide pawl 161 guide pawl163 horizontal wall 165 inclined wall 167 operating section 170 lockingconcave section 171 rearward inclined edge 172 forward inclined edge 173tip 174 notched portion 175 notched portion 180 locking projection 181inclined edge 182 vertical edge 185 door member 186 cover section 187arm portion 189 rotation hole 190 rod 191 engaging projection 192engaging piece 193 engaging concave section

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention can be applicable for an electric stapler providedin a copying machine, a printing machine and the like.

1. A stapler, comprising: a stapler body and a cartridge mounted on acartridge holding chamber of the stapler body to be able to pull out; alocking shaft provided on the lower portion of an opening of thecartridge holding chamber, biased upward by an elastic member; whereinthe cartridge has a locking projection and a door member; wherein thelocking projection engages with said locking shaft when the cartridge ismounted on the cartridge holding chamber; wherein the door member isbiased by the locking shaft to close the opening of the cartridgeholding chamber; and, wherein the door member disengages the lockingshaft from the locking projection when the door member closing theopening of said cartridge holding chamber is opened.
 2. The stapleraccording to claim 1, wherein the cartridge is provided with a lockingsection locked with the locking shaft when the cartridge is pulled outof the cartridge holding chamber of the stapler body.
 3. The stapleraccording to claim 1, wherein guide slots are formed on both sides ofthe cartridge holding chamber, and guide pawls are formed on both sidesof the cartridge to be guided by the guide slots; wherein the cartridgeis detachable from the stapler body by disengaging the guide pawls fromthe guide slots.
 4. The stapler according to claim 1, furthercomprising: guide members formed at an upper portion of the cartridgeholding chamber for guiding a refill for staples held in the cartridgein the direction to mount the cartridge.
 5. The stapler according toclaim 2, wherein guide slots are formed on both sides of the cartridgeholding chamber, and guide pawls are formed on both sides of thecartridge to be guided by the guide slots; wherein the cartridge isdetachable from the stapler body by disengaging the guide pawls from theguide slots.